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Mortality in Recreational Mountain-Biking in the Austrian Alps: A Retrospective Study over 16 Years

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Pocecco

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Hamed Wafa

    (Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Johannes Burtscher

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
    Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Peter Paal

    (Austrian Board for Mountain Safety, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Peter Plattner

    (Austrian Board for Mountain Safety, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Markus Posch

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Gerhard Ruedl

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

Despite recreational mountain-biking’s growing popularity worldwide, the literature on mortality in this leisure sporting activity is scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics of fatal accidents as well as resulting dead victims during recreational mountain-biking in the Austrian Alps over the past 16 years. For this purpose, a retrospective study based on Austrian institutional documentation from 2006 to 2021 was conducted. In total, 97 fatalities (1 woman) with a mean age of 55.6 ± 13.9 years were recorded by the Austrian Alpine Police. Of those, 54.6% died due to a non-traumatic (mostly cardio-vascular) and 41.2% due to a traumatic event. Mountain-bikers fatally accidented for non-traumatic reasons frequently belonged to older age classes ( p = 0.05) and mostly (73.6%) died during the ascent, whereas traumatic events mainly (70.0%) happened during the descent ( p < 0.001). Throughout the examined period, the absolute number of fatalities slightly increased, whereas the mortality index (proportion of deaths/accidented victims) did not (mean value: 1.34 ± 0.56%). Factors such as male sex in general, above average age and uphill riding for non-traumatic accidents, as well as downhill riding for traumatic events, seem to be associated with fatalities during recreational mountain-biking in the Austrian Alps. These results should be considered for future preventive strategies in recreational mountain-biking.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Pocecco & Hamed Wafa & Johannes Burtscher & Peter Paal & Peter Plattner & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl, 2022. "Mortality in Recreational Mountain-Biking in the Austrian Alps: A Retrospective Study over 16 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:11965-:d:921615
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martin Niedermeier & Hannes Gatterer & Elena Pocecco & Anika Frühauf & Martin Faulhaber & Verena Menz & Johannes Burtscher & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Winter Season—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Martin Faulhaber & Gerhard Ruedl & Friedemann Schneider & Dagmar Walter & Regina Sterr & Wolfgang Schobersberger & Fabian Schwendinger & Elena Pocecco, 2020. "Characteristics of Victims of Fall-Related Accidents during Mountain Hiking," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-9, February.
    3. Markus Posch & Alois Schranz & Manfred Lener & Martin Burtscher & Gerhard Ruedl, 2020. "Incidences of Fatalities on Austrian Ski Slopes: A 10-Year Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-8, April.
    4. Hannes Gatterer & Martin Niedermeier & Elena Pocecco & Anika Frühauf & Martin Faulhaber & Verena Menz & Johannes Burtscher & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Summer Season—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
    5. Markus Posch & Johannes Burtscher & Gerhard Ruedl & Elena Pocecco & Martin Burtscher, 2022. "Unchanged Fatality Rate on Austrian Ski Slopes during the COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-7, June.
    6. Lewis Kirkwood & Lesley Ingram-Sills & Mark Dunlop Taylor & Eva Malone & Geraint Florida-James, 2021. "Immune Response of Elite Enduro Racers to Laboratory and Racing Environments: The Influence of Training Impulse and Vibration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, April.
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